Modi speaks to Nepal PM, takes up killing of Indian in police firing

During the telephonic conversation, PM Modi expressed concern over the incident and requested for details.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed "shock" over the unfortunate killing of an Indian due to police firing in Nepal and requested for details from his Nepalese counterpart KP Oli, even as India summoned that country's envoy over the incident.

"The Prime Minister has expressed shock and condemned the unfortunate killing of a youngster from Bihar due to police firing in Nepal," the Prime Minister's Office said here.

During the telephonic conversation, Modi expressed concern over the incident and requested for details, it said.

19-year-old Ashish Ram of Raxaul in Bihar was killed after he received a bullet shot in his head when police opened fire on protesters at Shankaracharya Gate near Birgunj Customs, Nepal Home Ministry sources said in Kathmandu.

However, Modi assured the Nepalese leader that there was no obstacle from the Indian side on supply of fuel and other essentials.

"At the same time, the Prime Minister urged Nepalese leaders to work towards ensuring an early and effective solution to the crisis," the PMO added.

India also summoned Nepal Ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyay and told him that it is "deeply concerned" over firing incidents in Birgunj.

He was also told that issues facing Nepal are political in nature and cannot be resolved by force and that the causes underlying the present state of confrontation need to be addressed by the government of Nepal credibly and effectively.

Earlier, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said India has asked its freight transporters to exercise caution and not put themselves in danger. The advisory may deepen the supply crisis to the Himalayan nation.

He said Indian freight forwarders and transporters have voiced their worries again today about the deteriorating situation across the border.

"We are advising them to exercise caution and not put themselves in danger. We are monitoring the situation carefully," he added.

Since the promulgation of the Constitution in Nepal in September, the Indian-origin Madhesi population has been agitating as they believe the country's new Constitution discriminates against them, denying them equal standing with other Nepalis.

The agitation obstructed supply of essential commodities including petrol thereby creating a crisis in Nepal, which accused India of imposing a "economic blockade", a charge denied by India.

India maintained that the supply was obstructed due to protests on the Nepalese side and asked the Nepal government to have political resolution of issues facing that country which should have broad-based ownership and acceptance of the Constitution by all section of the society including those disaffected agitating forces.

Meanwhile in Kathmandu, Nepal Prime Minister's press advisor Pramod Dahal said that Oli drew Modi's attention towards ending the hardships faced by the Nepalese people.

He also talked about the ongoing blockade in the Nepal-India border causing shortage of essential goods including petroleum products and LPG, he said.

Modi said he is being apprised of the situation in Nepal and assured necessary help and cooperation.

He also advised his Nepalese counterpart to resolve the internal issue by itself.

The two leaders discussed matters relating to strengthening Nepal-India relations.

The telephonic conversation between them was earlier scheduled to take place in the morning but due to Modi's busy itinerary, it could not be held then and finally took place in the evening after he returned to Delhi, sources at the Prime Minister's Office said.